Jack Della Maddalena’s UFC 290 bout cancelled due to Josiah Harrell medical issue

The anticipated showdown between Jack Della Maddalena and Josiah Harrell at UFC 290 has been called off, marking the end of their saga.

After the official weigh-ins for UFC 290, it was confirmed by sources close to the situation that Harrell encountered a medical issue, leading to the cancellation of his welterweight bout against Maddalena.

Harrell, a newcomer to the UFC, had accepted the fight on short notice, stepping in for Maddalena’s original opponent, Sean Brady. Brady had withdrawn from the contest due to a severe case of Streptococcus B infection in his left elbow. Despite other experienced UFC fighters like Kevin Holland and Chris Curtis vying for the opportunity to face Maddalena on short notice, Harrell was ultimately chosen due to his viral victory over Mike Roberts at LFA 160 in June.

Maddalena, who is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in the 170-pound division, holds an impressive record of 14 wins and 2 losses. All four of his victories in the octagon have come by way of first-round stoppages, earning him post-fight bonuses in his last three fights. His most recent win was against Randy Brown in February, where he secured a victory in under three minutes.

❌ Fighter removed: Josiah Harrell

— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) July 7, 2023

In an interview with MMA Fighting on Wednesday, Maddalena expressed his desire to reschedule the fight with Brady for UFC 293 on September 10 in Sydney, following his bout with Harrell.

UFC 290 is set to take place on Saturday, July 8, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the card proceeding as planned, featuring 13 bouts and Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez as the headline for the Featherweight bout.

Update on Josiah Harrell

Per his manager Maurice Blanco, new information has emerged regarding Josiah Harrell’s situation at UFC 290. It has been revealed that Harrell’s pre-fight brain MRI, conducted as part of standard medical procedures, may have actually saved his life. The scan led to the diagnosis of moyamoya syndrome, a rare condition characterised by blocked arteries at the base of the brain. This discovery has prompted the decision for Harrell to undergo a brain procedure in the near future. The unexpected turn of events emphasises the importance of thorough medical screenings for fighters and highlights the UFC’s commitment to fighter safety and well-being.

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